Taxi Accident near Mopani

[Richprins]

Ag, Sanparks, really. They tried the threat of their "legal department" against us a decade ago and we told them to go to hell. Nothing happened...

[stefan9]

Maybe some day Sanparks will take traffic control serious and actually deal with these tipe of incidents instead of threatening the general public...

[Richprins]

I have often watched taxis entering via one of the side-entrances at the gates, skipping protocol and being involved in long discussions with security. Sometimes they carry staff, sometimes family and friends of staff, sometimes workers, sometimes day-visitors...or a mixture. But there is always some sort of rigmarole. In my opinion they regard themselves as superior, and for good reason as the taxi-owners are invariably government officials, or have well-oiled links to them, often to law enforcement officials too.

Be that said, I have sometimes watched them entering entirely normally also!

[Richprins]

Media Release: Vehicle Accident Injures Four People And Claims Giraffe’s Life

11 November 2019

A combi with 13 Day Visitors on their way to Letaba was involved in an accident North of Mopani in the Kruger National Park (KNP) yesterday, 10 November 2019. Preliminary reports indicate that a giraffe stepped into the road, with the combi hitting it before it dropped on top of a rental safari vehicle, travelling in the opposite direction with two occupants. The driver of the rental vehicle, a Swiss national was seriously injured and the passenger suffered minor injuries.

“The medical personnel who rushed to the scene of the accident stabilized the Swiss driver, before airlifting him to a medical facility; he is in a critical condition and we wish him a speedy recovery. The accident resulted in the death of the giraffe; whilst two occupants from the combi were also treated for minor injuries; said the General Manager: Communications and Marketing, Isaac Phaahla.

The South African Police Service are investigating the incident and circumstances around it; therefore South African National Parks (SANParks) is appealing for people to desist from speculating and allow the investigation process to run its course. SANParks would also like to appeal to the public to always be watchful of all kinds of species while driving on the roads in the Park as they are a general site; therefore people must remember that these animals have a right of way.

“We are approaching the festive season in a month’s time and encourage visitors to plan their trips between gates and camps so as to eliminate the need to hurry, please also exercise caution as the wildlife has no concept of traffic rules” concluded Phaahla.

Issued by:
Communications & Marketing Department – Kruger National Park

Media enquiries:
Isaac Phaahla
GM: Communications and Marketing, KNP
Tel: 013 735 4363; Cell 083 673 6974
Email: Isaac.phaahla@sanparks.org

[Richprins]

The facts seem to be more or less right now!

[Alf]

Why was it so difficult for them to get the facts more accurate

[Richprins]

I think the media mess up more, Alpheus! Swiss and Swedish are quite close in Afrikaans, for example!

[Lisbeth]

Instead of generally encourage visitors to.....etc. they should start watching the taxis a bit closer. We have all seen how they drive in the park

[Richprins]

I have been following the twitter conversation there and have not seen any "racist" comment, except this one:


Bontleng
‏ @Boogy92Bontleng
Nov 10

Everyone in here is more worried about the giraffe than the passengers. Abelungu are a weird bunch yaz

Maybe the others were deleted?

[Alf]

It's racist to say the words 'taxi" and "speeding" in the same sentence